Newtown library offers help for sight impaired

Published 1:00 am, Thursday, February 23, 2006

NEWTOWN - Near the C.H. Booth Library's circulation desk is a monitor that might be mistaken for a computer.

It's a large print reader that works on the same principle as a microscope. It doesn't enlarge bacteria, cells and the like. Instead, it enlarges text.
"It can be used to more easily see checks, bills and other printed material," said library director
Janet Woycik
. "We're hoping more people will use it."
The reader and two computer filter screens that also enlarge images are among the services the library has offered people who are visually impaired.
"We always had a large print section within the fiction section, but since the library expansion was completed in 1998, we've been able to have a room dedicated to large print books, both fiction and non-fiction," Woycik said. "Large print circulation has increased 80 percent since the room, near the main floor circulation desk, opened."
The books were purchased, donated and given from the annual Friends of the C.H. Booth Library Book Sale.
"A number of the books are from the
Fairfield Library
and given to us by a local resident after that library weeded them out," Woycik said.
The library also has a selection of movies for the blind.
The films, in which a narrator provides a complete description of what's happening on screen, were given to the library by Stop & Shop Supermarket when its video rental section closed down.
Though not approaching the number or newness of movies in the library's regular video section, the films, all in VHS format, range from Disney's "Alice in Wonderland" to "Raiders of the Lost Ark" to "The Godfather" and everything in between.
Books on Tape and CD's are available to all library users. And for those who have difficulty getting to the library, the library's free Books on Wheels service will deliver requested books, tapes and more to homes.
"We're happy to do that," Woycik said. "We want more people to be aware of and use the services that are offered to all the library's patrons so they can make as much use of the library as possible."

The C.H. Booth Library is at 25 Main St., Newtown. For information about its services for the visually impaired or other services, call the circulation desk at (203) 426-4533.

To make a donation or to donate equipment, contact the C.H. Booth Library, 25 Main St., Newtown, CT 06470, Att.: Janet Woycik.